Don't think I can go through with it...

I was so excited and ready to go through with the surgery and I came across the memorial page, I am sitting here bawling my eyes out and I don't know what to do.

I think everyone kinda freaks out when they find the memorials page.  I know I did.  One thing that helped me was thinking, while there are those who don't make it for a variety of reasons, there are SO MANY MORE that do make it with little or no problems.  The people you talk to here..so it's important to be aware of ALL that can possibly happen with this surgery, but don't forget that there are many great outcomes, as well. You are having very normal reactions to the memorials page...as most of us probably did.

((((Hugs))))  Kimberly, Its okay.  We all did the same thing.  If you have little ones, just please, for peace of mind, make a video saying what you feel and what you wish for them.  For that matter, do it for all of your loved ones.  Put it in a safe place.  And before you know if, you will be throwing it away because you never needed it.  It really does help. Take care, Sarah_Smile

I know how you feel.  I got nervous when I saw the page. What helped me is knowing that if there were a memorial page for all other surgeries they'd be even longer. It is important to know all the risks but like was mentioned above...look at all the post ops here. Best wishes with your journey, know matter what you decide.

I think it's very easy for all of us to get wrapped up in all the good stuff about the surgery, and there's a lot there!  At some point we all must come to terms with why we're in the boat we're in and what it's worth to get healthy.  This is elective surgery and there are serious risks involved not the least of which is blood clots during/after surgery.  I don't think there is anyone who's gone through the surgery that didn't at some point think "if I don't make it then at least I'm going to go out swinging."   For me going through the process leading up to the surgery was one of the hardest things I've done.  It is a journey full of emotions and a lot of deep thoughts and pondering on your life.   I think it's easy to find all the reasons to do the surgery in all of our accounts and messages here. Relax a little, keep on reading around these boards.  You're going through a very normal part of the process.  It's a hard decision and like my surgeon said at my first appointment "Make sure this is the last resort before we proceed." FOR ME: this suregery was the best thing I could've done.  Good luck as you go through the process! --Sax

I did the same thing when reading the memorial pages.  What I realized as I read further was that most of the people who died, died as a result of other things.  Many die waiting to have the surgery because they are super morbidly obese and have other health issues.  Like the others have said, we need to remember that this is a serious surgery with serious outcomes.  It's our job to find out all the information we can, be it good or bad. There is always that chance that things will not turn out the way we had hoped, but there's a better chance that it will. 

I was shocked when I read the memorial page but then I started reading profiles within that page and I found out that many of those people died waiting for surgery, some died in car accidents and others died from cancer.  Yes, this surgery is dangerous but when you look at the number of people who have died from it in the past 2 years compared with 2000 - 2003, it's a very small amount.  They have done everything they could to make this surgery safe. They give you (or should give you) drugs that help with the blood clots, they even implant filters now, chack it out.  The most important thing you can do is to check out your surgeon.  Make sure he/she knows what they're doing and have done many surgeries and that it's not just a lucrative sideline.  Make sure they have a good pre and after care program.  Make sure they tell you what you can and cannot eat before and right after surgery.  I don't know how many people come on here wondering what they can have 1 week or more out.  Someone should be cluing you in. You have to do your homework.  I'm sure many of us wrote wills and letters "just in case".  This is normal.  I'm also sure that if you ask, many of us will say we wish we'd done it a lot sooner.  Having nerves before the surgery is normal.  That's what we're here for, we help you through those rough spots before and after surgery because we've been through it too.  Take care and my prayers are with you.

Kimberly, Don't chicken out. I am in my 5th year out and have never regreted it. I was at risk with blood cloting problems but they took good care of me and made it through with a breeze.

Where is the memorial page? I can't seem to find it.

Shawn at the top of the page next to Forums is one that says People.  Click on that and it should be a drop down list.